Meet Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss

Rolene Strauss, a 4th year medical student at the University of the Free State, will represent South Africa at Miss Universe and Miss World. But who is she ? Read here all you didn't know about her !

At an early age of 8, Rolene Strauss witnessed the crowning of Miss SA in the year 2000, when Jo-Ann Strauss won the title. The two are not related to each other - they coincidentally share the same surname. She dreamed of winning the title one day, and scooped the title herself in March 2014.

Rolene placed in the Top 5 of Miss South Africa 2011 when Melinda Bam became the new titleholder of Miss SA 2011. “The judges made a good choice, I think she was consistent throughout the competition, ” said Melinda Bam after Rolene Strauss Crowning.

Rolene has a passion for health, women's rights and her country South Africa. “Oh, how I love South Africa! I can live, speak, learn and love freely. My dreams are developed and become reality here. Our country is my pride and my purpose has and will always lie within it."

“Not only does the Miss South Africa title have the ability to take me places, but I will also learn from the women who walked this path before me. I am who I am today because of our country and the opportunities I have received from her generous hand. For me this will be a year of giving back; giving thanks and being a true example of the potential women and all South Africans can have in our country.” (Quotes from Herald.co.zw)

As Miss South Africa 2014, Strauss has won cash, a car and products valued at more than R1,3 million. She also gets thousands of rands in cash and study bursaries to award to South Africans that she meets during her reign. Cell C is also giving the winner access to R200 000 to spend on random acts of kindness.

About her childhood “My whole family goes to Hartenbos every December holiday and some of my best childhood memories where made there.”

Strauss explained that the first thing she did on the morning after the crowning was try to "comprehend" what happened "I opened my eyes and tried to comprehend what had just happened the night before! It felt like a dream..." she tweeted from the Official_MissSA account.

When Rolene was just 15 years old, she competed in and won the national selection for the Elite Model Look International. She is the youngest winner nationally and beat 11 other contestants vying for the same title. Rolene placed in The Top 15 of the Elite Model Look International 2007 after competing with 55 contestants.